PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Nemkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: My Way - Limpbizkit. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Nemkov
vs
Cruz

173 cm
24
202 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

186 cm
25
185 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oleg Nemkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nemkov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cruz.
Nemkov misses with a two punch combination.
Cruz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nemkov moves out of range as Cruz strikes.
Cruz connects with the punch.
Nemkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Nemkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nemkov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nemkov misses with a double jab.
Cruz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nemkov drops his hands momentarily and Cruz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cruz throws a hook to the side of Nemkov's head but Nemkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice defenses there by Nemkov.
Nemkov looks to land a combination. Cruz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nemkov misses with a body punch
and Cruz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nemkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Cruz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Oleg Nemkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz avoids a kick to the body.
Cruz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nemkov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cruz.
Cruz loads up on a big right hand but Nemkov slips the punch.
Nemkov is looking to slow Cruz down with leg kicks.
Nemkov looks to land a combination. Cruz sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
No joy there for Nemkov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nemkov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nemkov misses with the combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nemkov misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nemkov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nemkov throws a right and a left that Cruz avoids nicely.
And Cruz tries to counter it with a takedown but Nemkov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cruz swings widly with a right hand

and Nemkov counters with a single leg into guard. Cruz didn't expect that.
Nemkov won't allow Cruz to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nemkov controlling from the top position.
Cruz is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nemkov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cruz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nemkov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Cruz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nemkov is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cruz moves out of range of the body kick.
Cruz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nemkov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nemkov misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nemkov fails to land with a series of punches.
Cruz feints the counter takedown.
Cruz feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nemkovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Cruz looks to land a right hand but Nemkov moved out of range.
Nemkov throws a right and a left that Cruz avoids nicely.
Cruz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nemkov misses with a wild body shot.
Nemkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nemkov misses with a wild combination.
Nemkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz tries to move into range but Nemkov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nemkov sizes up Cruz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cruz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Nemkov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nemkov.
Cruz looking for a sweep. Not yet Cruz, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Nemkov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nemkov scores with a leg kick.
Nemkov throws a left jab followed by a right to the body, Oh Cruz colapses and takes a barrage of punches from Nemkov as he moves to mount! the ref stops the fight and Cruz is left battered and dazed whilst Nemkov and his camp cheer!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:10 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Oleg Nemkov!
During a confident post fight interview, Oleg Nemkov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Rafael Cruz stepped up to the mic, saying 'Congratulations to him; he fought a great fight; I have to go back to drawing board'.